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George Pyne. USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth. Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute., no rights reserved (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons
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Scutellaria integrifolia
helmet skullcap
Eastern and southeastern United States
Overview
Scutellaria integrifolia, helmet skullcap, is an herbaceous perennial in the mint family, growing 1-2.5 feet (30-75 cm) tall on slender, square, softly hairy stems that often form small clumps. The opposite leaves are 0.5-1.5 inches (1.5-4 cm) long, the lower ones oval and shallowly toothed and the upper ones narrow and untoothed, the trait behind the species name. From late spring into summer the stems carry terminal racemes of two-lipped, blue-violet flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, the hooded upper lip arching over a paler, spreading lower lip marked with white. A small ridge on the green calyx, suggesting a helmet, gives the skullcaps their name. The flowers ripen into nutlets held in the persistent calyx. Native to open woods, meadows, pine flatwoods, and sandy clearings of the eastern and southeastern United States, S. integrifolia grows on moist to dry, acidic soils. The flowers draw bees and hummingbirds. One limitation is its short bloom and modest stature, which can be lost among taller perennials. It is short-lived but self-sows to maintain a colony.
Native Range
Scutellaria integrifolia is native to the eastern and southeastern United States, from New England and the Great Lakes south to Florida and Texas. It grows in open woodlands, meadows, pine flatwoods, roadsides, and sandy clearings on moist to dry, acidic soils.Suggested Uses
Scutellaria integrifolia is grown in native plant gardens, wildflower meadows, pollinator borders, and the front of sunny beds. It suits naturalistic plantings, pine-woodland edges, and restoration of sandy open ground. The blue flowers support bees and hummingbirds through early summer.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'6"
Width/Spread10" - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
blue-violet with white markingsFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Scutellaria integrifolia grows in full sun to part shade on moist to dry, well-drained sandy or loamy, acidic soils across a pH of about 5.0 to 6.5. As a hardy perennial in zones 5 to 9 it tolerates poor soil and short drought once established. It accepts average garden moisture but rots in heavy, wet ground. The plant is short-lived but self-sows to renew the stand. It grows well in lean soils where richer conditions make it floppy. Light shade suits it in hot southern gardens.Pruning
S. integrifolia needs little pruning. Shearing the stems after flowering can tidy the clump and sometimes prompts light rebloom. Spent stems may be left to self-sow or cut back in autumn.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons